With most fantasy football regular seasons quickly coming to a close, fantasy owners need to be careful on who to gamble on and who not to. Let’s take a look at which quarterbacks are worth using for the coming week:
- Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos – vs. Tampa Bay
- Robert Griffin III – Washington Redskins – vs. New York Giants
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Minnesota
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. New Orleans
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Atlanta
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at Miami
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Indianapolis
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – at Washington
- Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at San Diego
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – at Kansas City
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – at Detroit
- Chad Henne – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Buffalo
- Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers – at St. Louis
- Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – at Tennessee
- Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Denver
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – vs. Jacksonville
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Cincinnati
- Carson Palmer – Oakland Raiders – vs. Cleveland
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Pittsburgh
- Nick Foles – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
- Jake Locker – Tennessee Titans – vs. Houston
- Christian Ponder – Minnesota Vikings – at Green Bay
- Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – vs. New England
- Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – vs. San Francisco
Thoughts:
- Week 12 was a “down” day for Peyton Manning, throwing for 285 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. I know it’s hard to call that a poor game, but it was just the second time in his past eight games where he hasn’t thrown for three touchdowns. Against a Tampa Bay defense that entered the week allowing 312.6 passing yards per game (and allowed Matt Ryan to throw for 353), it’s easy to imagine Manning having another monster week.
- For the second consecutive week Robert Griffin III posted impressive passing numbers, throwing for 311 yards and four touchdowns (he’s thrown for eight passing touchdowns over his past two games). Is anyone still worried about him? Throw in his ability on the ground and it’s hard not to consider him among the elite options in the league.
- Most people’s problems with Matthew Stafford has been his touchdown numbers and nothing else. However, after throwing for 441 yards and two touchdowns in Week 12, he now has six touchdowns over the past three games. He also faces a Colts’ defense that has allowed 19 passing touchdowns this season versus just five interceptions. He’s back to being a top option in all formats.
- You would think the matchup against the Falcons would worry Drew Brees owners, at least a little bit. However, after seeing him put up impressive numbers against the San Francisco 49ers, he remains one of the top options in the league.
- You have to like Eli Manning’s matchup with the Washington Redskins, especially after he looked significantly better in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers. Use him with confidence once again.
- Colin Kaepernick was impressive once again, leading the 49ers to a victory over the New Orleans Saints. He threw for 231 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while adding 27 rushing yards and a touchdown. With his ability both through the air and on the ground, he has to be considered a viable fill-in and a definite QB2.
- Not a believer of Chad Henne’s Week 11 performance? He tossed for 261 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Week 12. At this point it is hard to argue against him, especially taking on a Bills’ defense that has allowed that has allowed 20 passing touchdowns this season. Consider him a viable QB2 in all formats.
- It wasn’t long ago (Week 11 to be exact) that the Steelers’ defense limited Joe Flacco to 164 yards and no touchdowns. He did throw for 524 yards and four touchdowns against them in 2011, so he needs to remain a low-end QB2, but he can’t be seen as more than that.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 13 rankings:
Not that either is a compelling option, but you forgot Cutler and Russ Wilson.
Off topic, but are there any defenses you would stash for week 15 and 16 (not including CHicago and San Fran)?
If Big Ben comes back, would you think he’d be better or worse than Josh Freeman?
Joe – I’ve gotta look carefully at schedules. Any idea who the top waiver options are?
James – Doesn’t look like he’s coming back anyways, but it would be close. Having missed a few weeks, he would be a risky option though, so I’d probably lean Freeman.
After cams Monday night performance do you move him up due to his hot streak?
Also I’m going to roll the dice at RB week 13 and go Doug Martin, Quizz, and prolly bryce brown cause it sounds like hell get another start. Leaves me to cover 2 WR spots. Welker is a no brainer, but the other is either Britt, Maclin, Austin or hartline
Could also go Vereen Ballard or j bell in the other spot as my league has 5 positions 1 WR 1RB the rest flex. 1 point PPR
I could see moving Vam up a spot or two. He certainly is a viable option right now.
As for the other, I would probably go Ballard, with Austin second choice if healthy
Looking at Cleveland, New England, San Diego, Miami, Buffalo, and Indy all look ok to me. Going to hold onto 2 defense and looking to pick up Cleveland at least for this week and next.
Patriots have the Jaguars in Week 16… kinda hard not to like that matchup, especially since they have been playing well.
Who would you keep or drop going into week 14 – I’m holding on to Big Ben, but have Romo and Fitzpatrick and need to get rid of one. I’m leaning toward keeping Romo. Thoughts?